Strong LED market demands this year have led to patterned sapphire substrate (PSS) manufacturers expanded production capacity, according to “2014 Global Sapphire Substrate Market Report” by LEDinside, a LED research division of TrendForce.
Following cylindrical cells price and volume usage declines, supply and demand for the technology is expected to remain flat in the second quarter of 2014, due to lowered supply coupled with slight demand increases. Additionally, manufacturers estimate prices will stabilize, ending roughly a two-year decline, according to recent findings from EnergyTrend, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based market intelligence firm TrendForce.
SolarCity recently acquired Silevo, a maker of high-efficiency solar modules. SolarCity has also merged with Zep Solar to gain access to innovative module installment technology and will pair up with Paramount Solar and Common assets to expand energy storage and electric vehicles businesses, according to EnergyTrend, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based market intelligence firm TrendForce.